Just who is the top offensive tackle in the 2026 NFL Draft?
Opinions are split, but Miami right tackle Francis Mauigoa (pronounced “Mau-ee-no-ah”) is a popular name at the top of draft boards. Mauigoa is a big, powerful mauling tackle with plenty of experience starting at the collegiate level. He has a reputation as an excellent run blocker as well as a reliable pass protector.
However, there are those who question whether tackle is his best position in the NFL and whether his greatest upside is inside at guard. In that, he could follow former Notre Dame tackle-turned-guard, Zack Martin. Unfortunately, Mauigoa didn’t work out at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, so we can’t directly compare him to the other tackles in this draft class to add clarity.
As things stand now, the New York Giants have holes at both right tackle and right guard, and Mauigoa could be an option for either one.
Is 5th overall too high to take a tackle who might be a guard?
Prospect: Francis Mauigoa (61)
Games Watched: vs. Notre Dame (2025), vs. Florida (2025), vs. Ohio State (2025), vs. Miami (2025)
Red Flags: none
Measurables
Strengths
Best traits
- Size
- Play strength
- Competitive toughness
- Run blocking
- Versatility
Francis Mauigoa is a big, powerful, competitive, and versatile offensive line prospect.
Mauigoa has a great frame at [size] with obvious power in his upper and lower halves. And while he isn’t quite a “dancing elephant”, he has remarkably light feet for a lineman his size. He has “typewriter” feet that allow him to cover ground in pass protection while also being ready to anchor at a moment’s notice. His footwork manages to be both smooth and sudden, with his feet seemingly disconnected from his upper body.
Mauigoa has good lower-body fluidity for a bigger tackle and appears to be a natural knee bender. He does a good job of establishing good hip and pad level, as well as maintaining it over the course of a normal rep. That leverage allows him to maximize his already impressive play strength, and easily absorb power rushes from defenders.
He typically times his steps well and plays with a wide base to provide a solid foundation for his punch. Mauigoa has heavy, violent hands and is able to deliver a hard jolt to defenders, ending their rep if he’s able to establish inside leverage.
Mauigoa is an excellent and versatile run blocker who is able to drive defenders off the ball when blocking downhill as well as collapse the line when blocking laterally in zone schemes. He has enough athleticism to climb to stay in phase in outside zone runs, climb to the second level off of a double team, or get ahead of the play as a pulling blocker.
Finally, Mauigoa is a downright mean blocker with a wide nasty streak. He does an excellent job of fighting to sustain his blocks as well as making every effort to re-anchor if he initially loses. That said, he plays with a mauler’s mentality once engaged and consistently looks to bury defenders. He consistently blocks through the whistle and is constantly looking for opportunities to finish with the defender on the ground – twice if they get back up.
Weaknesses
Worst traits
- Redirection
- Leverage consistency
There are a couple issues in Mauigoa’s game that could be weaknesses at tackle or force him inside to guard.
To start, and the most significant, is that he struggles to redirect suddenly. That can either be to the B-gap against a quick inside move when blocking an edge rusher or blocking the C-gap against an unexpected looper. That can create opportunities for pass rushers to exploit and entry points into the backfield.
Likewise, Mauigoa can struggle some against athletic speed rushers. His hands can drift wide when he needs to cover a lot of ground, or cover ground quickly, in pass protection. That creates opportunities for speed rushers to get into his chestplate, and speed-to-power moves can put him on skates. He can also be a bit prone to losing his pad level over the course of longer reps, with his knees straightening or lunging at defenders.
Game Tape
(Mauigoa is the Miami right tackle wearing number 61.)
Projection
Francis Mauigoa projects as a starting offensive lineman at the NFL level. The big question for him is where on the offensive line he’s starting. He has enough athleticism that he could probably stay at offensive tackle in the NFL, particularly for a team that doesn’t demand much lateral movement from its blockers.
However, redirection and play against NFL caliber athletes and technicians could be an issue for Mauigoa if he doesn’t consistently play with excellent technique.
That said, his size, play strength, and competitive toughness make a move inside perfectly viable for him, and some teams may see him as a better fit at guard than tackle. That would limit his exposure to athletic rushers, as well as how much ground he would have to cover on a typical play.
Mauigoa shouldn’t have to wait long to hear his name called in the first round. His exact draft slot could depend heavily on how free agency unfolds and the needs and schemes of the individual teams. Even so, Mauigoa should be a good lineman for whichever team selects him.
Does he fit the Giants? Possibly, depending on free agency
Final Word: A first round pick
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